• Faith: Jehovahs Witness
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  June 07, 1958
• Date of Death:  April 21, 2016

Prince was a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation, Prince was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona, his wide vocal range and his remarkable skill as a multi-instrumentalist. As a producer of his own albums, he pioneered the iconic Minneapolis sound, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.

Prince was born into a musical family; his father, John L. Nelson, was a jazz pianist and songwriter, and his mother, Mattie Della, was a jazz singer. This rich musical environment nurtured Prince's early interest in music. By the age of seven, he had taught himself to play the piano, and he later mastered the guitar and drums. His early exposure to various instruments laid the foundation for his future as a multi-instrumentalist.

In 1975, Prince joined the band 94 East, where he began to hone his skills in songwriting and performance. His talent quickly caught the attention of producer Chris Moon, leading to a demo that secured Prince a contract with Warner Bros. Records at just 19 years old. His debut album, For You (1978), showcased his ability to write, produce, arrange, and perform all tracks, signaling the arrival of a unique and self-reliant artist.

Prince's self-titled second album (1979) yielded his first major hit, "I Wanna Be Your Lover," propelling him into the national spotlight. He continued to push musical boundaries with albums like Dirty Mind (1980) and Controversy (1981), blending genres such as funk, rock, R&B, and new wave.

The release of 1999 (1982) marked a significant milestone, with hits like "Little Red Corvette" and the title track gaining heavy rotation on MTV—a notable achievement for a Black artist at the time. However, it was "Purple Rain" (1984) that cemented his superstar status. The album, which served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name, produced chart-topping singles and earned Prince an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Prince released a series of successful albums, including Sign o' the Times (1987), Diamonds and Pearls (1991), and The Gold Experience (1995). His prolific output and genre-defying music solidified his reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.

Prince's personal life was as dynamic as his music. In 1996, he married dancer Mayte Garcia. The couple had a son, Amiir, who tragically passed away shortly after birth due to a rare genetic disorder. The loss deeply affected Prince, and the couple eventually divorced in 2000. In 2001, Prince married Manuela Testolini, a Canadian businesswoman of Italian and Egyptian descent, in a private ceremony. However, they separated in 2005 and filed for divorce in May 2006,which was finalized in October 2007.

Known for his flamboyant style and enigmatic persona, Prince maintained a level of privacy that added to his mystique. He was also known for his activism in artist rights, famously changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol in 1993 during a dispute with Warner Bros. Records over artistic control and ownership of his master recordings.

Prince passed away on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57, due to an accidental fentanyl overdose. His death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world, underscoring the profound impact he had on music and culture.

Prince's Religious Beliefs

Prince’s faith was a central part of his identity from childhood through adulthood. Raised in a household where both parents valued spirituality, Prince was influenced by his Baptist mother and Seventh-day Adventist father. His early fascination with God and Jesus became recurring themes throughout his musical career, often intertwined with concepts of love, sexuality, and sensuality. This unique blend is evident in songs like "I Would Die 4 U" and albums such as "Lovesexy."

During a concert in Oakland in March 2016, Prince reflected on his childhood, telling the audience: "I wanted to be like my father and I loved everything he loved — my mother, the Bible, and music."

Prince’s spirituality permeated his music in unconventional ways. For instance, his 1981 hit "Controversy" included a full recitation of The Lord’s Prayer within the track, blending religious reflection with his signature funk and pop sound. Similarly, his provocative 1984 song "Darling Nikki" featured a hidden backward message: "Hello, how are you? Fine, fine, ’cause I know that the Lord is coming soon." That same year, he also released a B-side track titled simply "God", emphasizing his reverence for a higher power despite the often sensual nature of his lyrics.

In 2001, Prince became a Jehovah’s Witness after a period of spiritual searching, heavily influenced by his friendship with bassist Larry Graham. Rather than seeing it as a conversion, Prince described it as a "realization," comparing the transformative experience to Morpheus and Neo in the film The Matrix. He became an active member of his local Kingdom Hall, attending meetings regularly and even participating in door-to-door evangelism.

Prince’s faith also influenced his musical projects. His 2001 album The Rainbow Children marked a significant thematic shift, focusing on his newly embraced beliefs. Similarly, the 2003 album N.E.W.S featured a hidden message on the CD edition that referenced the name of Jehovah in Witness theology, slowly displaying the phrase "He Causes 2 Become" when played on a computer.

Despite his strong convictions, Prince’s religious journey was nuanced and, at times, controversial. Shortly after becoming a Jehovah’s Witness, his former bandmates Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman approached him about a potential reunion of The Revolution. Melvoin, who is both Jewish and a lesbian, claimed that Prince declined, allegedly suggesting she should disavow her sexuality and embrace the faith publicly. While Melvoin resigned herself to never working with him again, Prince later reunited with her for a performance of "Reflection" on the Tavis Smiley Tonight Show in 2004 and again in 2006 during the Brit Awards, where they played "Purple Rain" together.

Prince’s spirituality extended beyond conventional religious practices. His ex-wife Mayte García described him as a lifelong spiritual seeker, fascinated by the integration of various beliefs, including astrology, the third eye, and reincarnation, into his Christian faith. His openness to spiritual exploration was also reflected in his public image; at the time of his death, his Twitter display picture was an illustration of himself with both eyes closed and a third eye on his forehead open, symbolizing spiritual awareness and enlightenment.

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